Colorado River Hemp, Bigpod sesbania
Sesbania herbacea

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

Sesbania herbacea is a ANNUAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Fields and low ground.

Southern and South-western N. America - Alabama to Texas and north to Oklahoma.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A strong fibre obtained from the bark can be used for making nets etc. It was a very important fibre plant for the native North American Indians.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The seeds may be poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Darwinia exaltata. Sesban exaltatus. Sesbania macrocarpa. Emerus herbacea